The Sydney Morning Herald has once again cemented its position as Australia’s most read cross-platform masthead, with a readership of more than 7 million, according to the Total News Publishing figures released by Roy Morgan today. 

As the Herald’s investigative journalism, Olympics and Paralympics coverage, as well as news of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump helped drive the masthead’s subscriber strategy, the latest figures for the 12-month period ending September 2024 show that one in three Australians chose the Herald to stay informed.

The masthead dominates the cross-platform landscape with 7.05 million readers compared to The Daily Telegraph readership of 4.02 million. 

The Monday to Friday print edition recorded an average issue readership of 386,000, while Saturday’s print edition recorded 472,000 readers. In the last four weeks, 1.42 million people on average have read a print edition of the Herald, while The Sun Herald print edition is read by 382,000 people every Sunday.

Across the Herald and The Age, the country’s most prestigious food news brand, Good Food, recorded a Total News readership of 1.62 million, with its readership up 76% year on year.  The subscription-based Good Food app was recently launched, and is available as part of Nine’s premium digital packages, and is an interactive digital home for food and drink lovers. 

Traveller also recorded quarterly growth of 15% with 1.47 million readers, while the masthead’s Lifestyle/Culture section is read by 2.35 million Australians. 

Good Weekend recorded an average issue print readership of 684,000, while Sunday Life recorded an average issue print readership of 368,000 – up 3% for the quarter – and Domain recorded readership of 469,000, also up 3% for the quarter. 

“The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age are the two leading mastheads in Australia because our editors and reporters work tirelessly on stories that directly affect the lives of our audience,” said Executive Editor Luke McIlveen.

“Last week’s haul of eleven Walkley Awards recognised the commitment we have to exposing corruption and neglect, from the union movement to the spread of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in the water supply.”

“These are the biggest national stories of the year, but Herald and Age editors Bevan Shields and Patrick Elligett have built our growing subscription business by breaking news that affects their cities – from the housing crisis gripping Sydney and Melbourne to the failures of the justice system in NSW and Victoria.”

Nine’s Total Publishing assets reach a de-duplicated audience of 15.99 million* Australians across print and digital.

The Total News Publishing readership figures are produced by Roy Morgan for ThinkNewsBrands. 

Source: Roy Morgan Research, All People 14+ for the 12 months ending September 2024. All audience data is based on the last 4 weeks averaged over the 12 months to September 2024. *This figure includes: nine.com.au, SMH Print & Digital, The Age Print & Digital, AFR Print & Digital, Brisbane Times, WA Today, Domain Digital, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin! Print Platforms include: SMH Print, The Age Print, AFR Print, Good Weekend VIC & NSW, Sunday Life VIC & NSW, Domain NIM VIC & NSW, AFR Magazine, Fin!

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Monday, November 25, 2024